A letter in the mail, a hurried kiss goodbye, and a long train ride to her new life marks the end of Mary’s childhood.
When Mary Gray is informed she’s been selected to be a mail order bride, she’s reluctant to say the least – and not just because she has to leave her old life behind to marry a man she’s never met.
What she finds – or rather, what she doesn’t find – when she gets off the train surprises her. Her husband is nowhere to be found, and she’s informed that she’ll be living by herself until her fiance is finished overseeing a harvest.
To pass the time, she gets a job as a local schoolteacher… but a dangerous flirtation with her eldest student, Tom, threatens to end her marriage before it begins.
What she doesn’t know is Tom isn’t the man he seems to be… and she’ll find out justhow little she knows about the man she’s marrying when they finally meet face to face.
This book contains explicit sex scenes and is for mature readers only.
My Review
Sweet and naughty read where the teacher becomes the pupil! 4 stars
East to West is a very naughty story in which two young lovers explore the delights of pleasure and pain and dominance and submission (in fact the heroine gives as good as she gets)! It is a fun and erotic read and contains scenes of spanking and masturbation.
I really liked how it starts off as a seemingly sweet tale, where the heroine Mary, a young woman inexperienced with the opposite sex, opts to be a mail order bride. She wants to escape the unhappy memories she has of Boston, where her parents recently died, and forge a new life for herself out West. As soon as Mary takes the train from the city to travel East to Oakford we start to get a hint here and there of her inner sensuality, which sets the tone for the read!
On arrival she is met by her future mother-in-law, who informs her that her husband (a controlling patriarch) has decreed that Mary cannot join them on their farm and marry their son until the harvest is over. Mary is left to fend for herself in town, but manages to secure lodgings and a job as a school teacher.
Almost immediately Tom, a new older student, appears and starts to flirt with her. Mary is taken aback by this unorthodox attention and finds the situation difficult to handle. Tom is mightily persistent however and she becomes, shall we say, putty in his very experienced hands, and the teacher becomes his dutiful student…. Yet what will happen when Mary gets called to the home of her fiancé? Will her exploits with Tom get noticed by the ultra conservative townsfolk, relegating the new teacher to the position of town harlot? I was entertained throughout by this read and enjoyed the twist in the tale!
I loved the character of Tom, a handsome and virile young man with seduction on his mind. It was the women in this story who stole the show or me though, as they are so strong willed and spirited – Mary, Annie (the other school teacher) and even Mary’s landlady, the elderly Mrs Lester.
Recommended for readers who enjoy an erotic read (particularly lovers of spanking scenes) set in the old West!
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Pease note, an ARC of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Poised to become Mayfair’s most expensive and exclusive courtesan, Miss Miranda Jones finds her rise inexplicably blocked by a socially powerful nobleman. Scorned by her ducal father and determined to attain everything that life has denied her due to an accident of birth, she’s not about to let this arrogant earl stop her.
Adrian Sutherland, the Earl of Danvers, saw his father destroyed by a heartless, predatory courtesan. He has no time or patience for such exotic, expensive ladybirds. He’s far too busy restoring his family’s wealth and reputation whilst doing what he can to protect his friends from the clutches of all the scheming courtesans of London.
Then a moment of compassion turns intense dislike to breathless passion, and these two strong-willed, fiercely proud people are compelled to indulge in a brief affair. Each is convinced that they can satisfy their craving for the other without emotional risk.
But neither realizes that a little dalliance can be a dangerous thing.
Reader Advisory: This is an erotic historical romance and it contains frank sexual language and period appropriate sexual slang, frequent sexual scenes and descriptions and general bedchamber naughtiness. The characters discuss abuse issues from their backstories during the course of their developing relationship. For Adults 18 & Over Only.
My Review
Tantalizing and angst-ridden, a Five Star read!
Miranda’s Dilemma is another tantalizing and angst-ridden erotic historical romance from the pen of Natasha Blackthorne. I just love how this author delves deeply into the minds of her tortured heroes and heroines and Adrian and Miranda, the hero and the heroine of this novel are really put through the mill!
Adrian Sutherland, an earl, is seeking revenge, determined to prevent the young courtesan Miranda from securing a lucrative deal with a new protector from amongst his fellow aristocrats. Adrian has good reason to despise courtesans, attributing the ruination of his own father to one of their kind. This handsome and dominant man therefore goes all out to embarrass, belittle and shame Miranda at every opportunity, despising the fact that he somehow feels attracted to one of her kind. There are some extremely emotional scenes between the couple, full of sexual tension and mutual disrespect as they do battle.
My sympathies were very soon with Miranda, an illegitimate daughter of a ducal father, for despite her veneer of a consummate courtesan, is extremely vulnerable. The strong image she projects to others, especially prospective protectors, is clearly under threat by Adrian’s actions. It is only when shocking circumstances conspire to reveal to Adrian exactly how vulnerable Miranda’s lifestyle choice makes her, that he begins to see the real woman beneath the artifice. I will not give the plot away but suffice to say that I just LOVED how the author weaved this particular scene into the narrative, coming at just the right point to bring these two strong-willed characters together in some emotional and revealing scenes. Both Miranda and Adrian have demons to slay from their past and as they embark on a passionate affair, they begin to confide in each other.
Yet the couple have no future together as Miranda is under pressure to swiftly secure lucrative funds to protect someone she holds most dear. In her desperate need to meet her goals she needs to curtail her affair with Adrian, who can ill afford her, and secure a protector who can satisfy her financial needs, even if doing so will open deep psychological scars from her past that threaten to destroy her.
The novel is an addictive read. I enjoyed the initial sexual tension between Miranda and Adrian and adored the erotic love-making scenes between them and their growing mutual respect and attraction. Adrian is all alpha male and very dominant. Tortured by events in his own past he is torn as to what to do with Miranda. His need to protect wars with his need to restore and maintain his family fortunes and his inner conflict is immense. Once more Natasha Blackthorne has delivered a passionate and emotional erotic love story that both tantalizes and pulls at the heart strings.
I was pleased with the conclusion to Miranda’s Dilemma and I’m looking forward to reading more about Adrian and Miranda’s relationship. The sequel of their story, A Most Demanding Mistress is scheduled for release early in 2016. I recommend the read to historical romance fans who are partial to tortured and damaged characters who find true love, passion and solace in each other.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Today, we are hosting the blog tour for THE DEVIL’S MASQUERADE, book three in Nina Mason’s erotic historical series ROYAL PAINS. Set in Great Britain during the Restoration period, the series chronicles the sexual, marital, and political exploits of Robert and Maggie Armstrong, the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody.
The year is now 1685 and Maggie’s father has just been crowned King of Great Britain, but that doesn’t mean trouble is over for the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody. Rather than cool the flames of hatred between Papists and Protestants, the coronation of a Catholic monarch has only added accelerant to the already raging blaze. Two-faced devils lurk in every corner of the royal court, as do diseases with the power to kill and maim. When Robert falls prey to the smallpox virus, it looks as though Maggie will lose the two people most precious to her—her beloved husband and their only child—the son she bore three months before after five years of heartbreaking miscarriages and stillbirths. The one person in London who can help save her son demands a steep price in exchange her services. Will Maggie trade Robert’s hard-won fidelity to save her only child…or offer the apothecary an even more scandalous alternative?
Note: ROYAL PAINS contains highly erotic content and is intended to be read in order.
Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win signed copies of the first two books in the ROYAL PAINS series!
Check out the first two books in the ROYAL PAINS series:
About the author
Nina Mason is an incurable romantic who strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
The Devil’s Masquerade is the third book in her Royal Pains series and her sixth book overall. Her seventh book, Dark and Stormy Knight, the second installment in her Knights of Avalon series, will be released by Lyrical/Kensington on Jan. 5.
Today we are revealing the new covers for Nina Mason’s Royal Pains, an erotic series set in Scotland and England during the Restoration period (the latter half of the 17th century, for those who don’t know). Ms. Mason decided to put new, sexier covers on the series for the launch of book three, THE DEVIL’S MASQUERADE. All three new covers, the blurbs for the books, and the buy links follow:
Royal Pains, Book One DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING
Innocence lost. Paradise found.
Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than most, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to stop fantasizing about her dashing rake of a guardian.
Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives–and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn’t the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must either whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless and unprotected commoner at a time when Catholics are persona non grata in Great Britain.
The tawdry tale of the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody continues…
Maggie Armstrong, the long-lost illegitimate daughter of the heir presumptive to the throne, is bedeviled by her husband’s limited definition of fidelity. After observing him in a ménage à trois at the court of King Charles II, she is determined to bring him around to her way of thinking— by any means necessary.
Robert doesn’t mind being punished for his transgressions. Rather, he enjoys being whipped, especially by his beloved bride. Unfortunately, her heart might not belong to him alone. His younger brother, who he’d sent abroad to clear the way for himself, is coming home sooner than expected, and Maggie’s feelings for Hugh may not be as dead as her husband had hoped.
Both duke and duchess soon learn, to their peril, Hugh Armstrong is not the honorable man they’d been led to believe. Insanely jealous of his brother’s situation, Hugh will stop at nothing to strip Robert of all he holds dear—including his life.
But the real danger for Robert and Maggie is not the villainous Marquess, but the growing friction betwixt Catholics and Protestants in Restoration Era Great Britain.
Can their love survive the trials that await them?
The year is now 1685 and Maggie’s father has just been crowned King of Great Britain, but that doesn’t mean trouble is over for the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody. Rather than cool the flames of hatred between Papists and Protestants, the coronation of a Catholic monarch has only added accelerant to the already raging blaze. Two-faced devils lurk in every corner of the royal court, as do diseases with the power to kill and maim. When Robert falls prey to the smallpox virus, it looks as though Maggie will lose the two people most precious to her–her beloved husband and their only child–the son she bore three months before after five years of heartbreaking miscarriages and stillbirths. The one person in London who can help save her son demands a steep price in exchange her services. Will Maggie trade Robert’s hard-won fidelity to save her only child…or offer the apothecary an even more scandalous alternative?
Catriona, Lady Blayne is recovering from a most delicate situation. Driven to the brink of madness by love for her late husband, a young man too ill to meet the demands of the marriage bed, she teeters on the brink of scandal. Now she must face the carnal temptation personified by her husband’s cousin and heir, James, the new Lord Blayne. His sensual appeal, contrasted with his iron will and stern self-mastery fascinates her. She can’t help but ask: what if sensual indulgence is the only way out of her darkness? However, she is not free to explore the idea. There are those who seek to control the young widow, keeping her imprisoned through emotional manipulation and physical coercion. With her growing restlessness, the very people she loves and trusts the most are becoming an increasing danger to her sanity and safety.
James is determined to protect Catriona—but he will not soften to her again. She rejected him once and James can’t risk losing his heart a second time. As heir to the Blayne baronetcy, he must marry a woman socially and politically appropriate. Such a scandalously self-indulgent lady as Catriona won’t do. Yet the pretty girl he once knew has grown into a beautiful, curvaceous woman that is every man’s dream.
Especially his.
Erotic Romance; Regency Historical; Elements of Sensual Domination, Spanking and Light Bondage; Rubenesque Heroine; Character-Driven Story with Angst and Strong Internal Conflicts; Standalone Long Novel.
Reader Advisory: The characters discuss issues of abuse which took place in the heroine’s backstory. Frank sexual language & period appropriate sexual slang and general bedchamber naughtiness.
My Review ~ FIVE STARS! TOP READ.
Sexy and Angst-Ridden!
Once again it’s hats off to Natasha Blackthorne for another fabulous sexy and angst-ridden erotic historical romance, which delves deep into the psyche of its characters and the sexual mores of the time. Indeed, The Delicate Matter of Lady Blayne, cuts straight to the heart of Regency sexuality and what was considered right and proper behaviour between a man and wife and how women should conduct themselves in and out of the marriage bed…. Double standards abound and the novel operates on a level far removed from the polite Regency veneer of many works set in this period.
Being familiar with Natasha Blackthorne’s work (I’ve previously read Her Mystery Duke which is equally complex, and angst-ridden and which I highly recommend) I was expecting both a scorching and emotional read and I can unreservedly say that this book delivers! I love tortured characters,and in this the female lead Sunny, aka Catriona, is as tortured as they come, the details of her past slowly revealing themselves to the reader and the hero James, the new Lord Blayne, as the story unfolds. I was as devastated as James as I learned of the trauma of her marriage and her life since the death of her husband Freddy, James’ deceased cousin.
Catriona is no straight-laced Regency miss. She is a sensual and complex creature and has suffered greatly on account of her natural carnal desires. The novel explores a number of heavy themes: grief, guilt, death, abuse, (including drug abuse), dominance and submission and desires that at the time considered female debility and madness. A number of scenes brought tears to my eyes for what she had been through and her current situation.
The hero James is also a complex and tortured character in his own right and I loved his own emotional journey, as well as Catriona’s as they work through the many issues that at the same time pull them together and apart. James is a man torn between his duty to the family and his growing love for Catriona, a woman proving herself to be most unsuitable as a wife. There are also a number of characters in the novel whom I despised with a passion as they attempt to thwart James and Catriona’s HEA! indeed, this tale really pulls at the heart strings, it is so emotional! It also does not shy away from some very intimate scenes!
Readers of historical erotic romance not yet acquainted with Natasha Blackthorne will love this novel, which I also recommend to lovers of historical romance who are looking for a spicier read.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note, a copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Today, we are featuring The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride, book two in the erotic historic Royal Pains series by Nina Mason. The series, set in Scotland and England during the Restoration period, is available in e-book or paperback.
The tawdry tale of the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody continues… Maggie Armstrong, the long-lost illegitimate daughter of the heir presumptive to the throne, is bedeviled by her husband’s limited definition of fidelity. After observing him in a ménage à trois at the court of King Charles II, she is determined to bring him around to her way of thinking—by any means necessary.Robert doesn’t mind being punished for his transgressions. Rather, he enjoys being whipped, especially by his beloved bride. Unfortunately, her heart might not belong to him alone. His younger brother, who he’d sent abroad to clear the way for himself, is coming home sooner than expected, and Maggie’s feelings for Hugh may not be as dead as her husband had hoped.Both duke and duchess soon learn, to their peril, Hugh Armstrong is not the honorable man they’d been led to believe. Insanely jealous of his brother’s situation, Hugh will stop at nothing to strip Robert of all he holds dear—including his life.But the real danger for Robert and Maggie is not the villainous Marquess, but the growing friction betwixt Catholics and Protestants in Restoration Era Great Britain.Can their love survive the trials that await them?
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
She is the author of The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy; The Tin Man, a political thriller; Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical set in 1680 Scotland; The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride, the follow-up to Devil in Duke’s Clothing; Starry Knight, the first book in a new PNR/UF series; and Dark and Stormy Knight, book two in The Knights of Avalon series. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives in Woodstock, Georgia.
Please note that this book contains scenes of spanking, flagellation, female ménage,voyeurism and dominance and submission. Also as it is difficult to review this book without some reference to book 1, Duke in Devil’s Clothing, it does contain some spoilers.
A Lusty Dose of the Restoration Period *****
In Nina Mason’s The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride, the scorching tale of love and lust between Robert, the dissolute Duke of Dunwoody and Maggie, his convent raised new wife, continues to unfold. I found it to be an exceedingly naughty and (at times) dark read.
After events in the previous novel, the couple are at an impasse concerning the nature of fidelity and Maggie is determined to ensure that Robert will remain totally faithful. I LOVED the wickedly delicious scenes of punishment in which Maggie ensures that Robert is fully aware of the depth of her displeasure! There is much tension between the couple but their love for each other is strong, despite the many trials they face in this novel.
This marital disagreement is the least of their worries, as with the unexpected arrival of Hugh, Robert’s younger brother, accompanied by his new bride, jealousy rears its head. It becomes evident that Hugh has his own agenda and all is not as it seems…. The drama takes place against the backdrop of growing unrest between Protestants and Catholics. Robert and Maggie are faced with a number of threats that test their very lives and love and help comes from an unexpected source. I will not say any more about the plot, but suffice to say that this erotic read was a real page-turner and I was wildly entertained throughout!
In particular, I adored how the author explores the nature of trust in the couple’s relationship and the fine line between pleasure and pain in some decadent scenes of dominance and submission. Nina Mason’s use of language in the book and her references to the religions, personalities and philosophies of the Restoration period, added significantly to my enjoyment.
If you enjoyed Robert’s and Maggie’s story in the first book, Duke in Devil’s Clothing (click on the title for my review), you will want to devour this read too. Recommended for readers who relish a heavy dose of eroticism with their historical romance.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of fair and honest review.
Today we’re unveiling the covers of Author Nina Mason’s next two releases, The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride, book two in the Royal Pains series, and Starry Knight, book one in The Knights of Avalon series. Here’s the cover for The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride, the follow-up to Devil in Duke’s Clothing:
Royal Pains, Book 2, releases May 9, but you can pre-order it now!
The tawdry tale of the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody continues…
Maggie Armstrong, the long-lost illegitimate daughter of the heir presumptive to the throne, is bedeviled by her husband’s limited definition of fidelity. After observing him in a menage a trois at the court of King Charles II, she is determined to bring him around to her way of thinking—by any means necessary.
Robert doesn’t mind being punished for his transgressions. Rather, he enjoys being whipped, especially by his beloved bride. Unfortunately, her heart might not belong to him alone. His younger brother, who he’d sent abroad to clear the way for himself, is coming home sooner than expected, and Maggie’s feelings for Hugh may not be as dead as her husband had hoped
Both duke and duchess soon learn, to their peril, Hugh Armstrong is not the honorable man they’d been led to believe. Insanely jealous of his brother’s situation, Hugh will stop at nothing to strip Robert of all he holds dear—including his life.
Here’s the link to the trailer for The Duke’s Bedeviled Bride:
Here is the cover for Starry Knight, book one of The Knights of Avalon Series:
Starry Knight will be released August 4 by Lyrical/Kensington and is available now for pre-order.
Can these star-crossed lovers bridge two worlds?
British aristocrat Vanessa Bentley has beauty, fame, and fortune, but she gets no respect for her decision to become a paranormal investigator. Determined to prove the naysayers wrong, Vanessa ventures to the misty moors of Caithness, Scotland. There stands the immense Castle Barrogill, where a vampire is rumored to be stalking the dungeons—a vampire Vanessa is determined to find.
She just has to get past the resident shape-shifter…
Callum Lyon is the gorgeous reclusive astrologer and faery knight who guards the castle. For free-spirited Vanessa, seducing him proves to be easy. After all, he was once a breeding drone to a Queen. But astrologically, their differences are harder to overcome. Will Vanessa’s mission—and Callum’s secrets—be more than their burgeoning love can take? Or will flesh—and blood—win over the ghosts that haunt them both? ….
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten. She is the author of The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller, both published by Vamptasy/CHBB. Devil in Duke’s Clothing is her first historical romance and Royal Pains is her first series. Starry Knight, book one in a second series titled Knights of Avalon, will be released in August 2015 by Lyrical/ Kensington. When not writing, Ms. Mason works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, the author currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
We are delighted to be taking part in the blog tour for Nina Mason’s latest release, Devil in Duke’s Clothing. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the novel from the author and you can read my review below – fans of erotic historical romance will not want miss this novel. You can also scroll down to read a sizzling excerpt, check out a promotional video and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway where a signed copy of the novel is up for grabs. Tina ❤
Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical romance by Nina Mason, tells the story of an innocent bride’s struggles to adapt to her new husband’s eccentric erotic tastes amidst the instability and hedonism of the reign of Charles II. The book is the latest by Nina Mason, the author of The Queen of Swords and The Tin Man. Book One in the Royal Pains Trilogy, Devil in Duke’s Clothing is highly erotic and features scenes of voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeuristic menage.
Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady’s maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights–and she’s been hungry for more ever since.
Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives–and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn’t the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.
Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?
I LOVED this deliciously decadent Restoration romp where the hero the Duke of Dunwoody is to die for and the heroine is strong and spirited. It is full of desire and debauchery and gives the reader an insight into the political machinations and excesses of the court of Charles II.
The read is one of the most erotic romances that I have read this year, the teachings of the church, so prevalent at the time, (especially in the mind of the convent raised heroine Maggie), make the scenes appear more daring and debauched than they ever could in a contemporary novel. Nina Mason’s clever use of language, manners and internal dialogue of the characters and her colourful descriptions evoked the time period perfectly.
There are plenty of explicit language and scenes as the Duke instructs his young virginal wife in the delights of the marriage bed and his own very particular tastes. The read is most definitely HOT! It is certainly the case of move over Mr Grey and make way for your replacement. Indeed, the Duke of Dunwoody has his own dark desires and proclivities which put Mr Grey well in the shade! The love the couple develop for each other is palpable and the scenes between them sizzle.
The journey that the heroine Maggie embarks on in this novel is a wild one. The ward of the Duke she has been attracted to him for a long time and knows something of his dark desires, desires which she fears, yet is excited by at the same time. Fortunately despite her convent upbringing, she is a spunky and adventuresome lass and is able to give as good as she gets. I love the deal she strikes with her husband whereby she will permit him to train her in the erotic arts if he also educates her in knowledge usually reserved for men. Whilst Maggie comes to enjoy her husband’s debauchery, it remains to be seen whether she can stomach what the King has in store for her and if the love she is developing for her husband can endure. The Duke’s decision to make her his bride has certainly put her in a pretty pickle and I devoured he read to find out her fate and that of the Duke.
The author has certainly researched the time period well, referencing not just the political and religious nuances of the time but the literature and the sexual excesses of King Charles and his contemporaries. Indeed, her descriptions of the debauchery and decadence of the Stuart court, presided over by its licentious king, which play a pivotal role in the plot, are truly sublime.
This is one of my favourite reads so far this year and I wholeheartedly recommend it to lovers of erotic historical romance.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
A copy of this novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Here’s an excerpt:
The duke pushed the sleeves off her shoulders and halfway down her arms before about-facing her. Stooping, he pressed his mouth to her décolletage.
His lips were deliciously warm and moist against the bulging tops of her flattened bosoms. His hair tickled her flesh in a pleasing sort of way and smelled faintly of lavender.
He moved upward, kissing her collarbone, her throat, the side of her neck, and her earlobe. After blowing in her ear, he whispered in a voice like velvet, “Why did you marry me, knowing what you knew?”
A hot lump formed at her core. “Because.”
He ran his tongue around the folds of her ear, sending delicious shivers through her.“Because why?”
“Because you are a duke.” Mouth suddenly parched, she licked her lips.
“And you dreamed of being a duchess?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“I would prefer not to say.”
“Why?”
“Because it will make me sound small and petty.”
His tongue’s explorations undermined her concentration. “Now I really must know.”
She heaved a sigh of surrender. “Survival, “ she said, forcing the half-truth from her throat. “Since you insist upon an answer, I married you because you asked me to…and I had nowhere else to turn for protection.”
His mouth returned to her neck and proceeded to kiss, lick, and nip her flesh, turning her insides to syrup.
“Thank you,” he said betwixt kisses.
“For what?”
“Your candor.”
Guilt crushed her chest like a boulder. Yes, she’d married him to gain security, but she’d left out the part about lusting after him deep in her heart. She moved away, removed the full-sleeved bodice, and laid it over the bench at the foot of the bed.
He came up behind her, slipped his arms around her waist, and kissed the back of her neck, setting her aflame.
She spun in his embrace and looked at him. His dark hair tumbled in soft waves over his broad shoulders. His features were shadowed, making him look dangerous. The need she’d stuffed down for so long erupted from her core, thick and molten.
Bringing his mouth to hers, he kissed and nibbled her lips as his hands untied the strings of her petticoat. It billowed to the floor, leaving her in only her fancy wedding stays and shift. “Now, ’tis my turn.”
Stepping back a wee ways, she pulled the diamond stick-pin from his cravat, loosened the knot, and unfurled the long strip of linen encircling his neck. Was it the same one he’d used to tie the maid’s hands?
“Why did you dismiss Mistress Honeywell?” she asked, letting his neck cloth slip from her fingers to the floor.
His beguiling mouth hitched into a crooked grin. “Had I known you’d seen me swive her, I could have saved myself the trouble—and a few sovereigns.”
“I’m sorry for your trouble, but do not regret her loss. Truth be known, I never liked her—though I do not doubt part of my aversion stemmed from what I witnessed.”
He lifted her chin, pulling her gaze to his. “Were you jealous, Rosebud?”
“Not at the time, but afterward, I resented her relationship with you.”
“There was no relationship. ‘Twas merely a one off.”
Unsure what to say in response, she unbuttoned his collar, opened the front of his shirt, and slipped both hands inside. As her fingertips met the warm, hair-garnished flesh of his chest, she nearly swooned.
How many times she had fantasized about touching him in this way. How much better he felt in real life—a pleasing quilt of smooth skin, solid bone and muscle, wiry hairs, and petal soft nipples. She pinched one until it grew erect.
“You feel good, husband” she said. “You are well put together.”
“It gets better.” He laughed.
“I know.” She blushed at the memory. “I saw everything you own that day in Mrs. McQueen’s closet.”
“And you married me anyway?”
“Oh, no. I married you because of it.”
The smile he gave her warmed her all the way down to her toes.
She swept her hands downward, shuddering when they touched the tartan draped around his hips. The wool was finely woven, soft. She brushed the apron, pleased to find he was aroused. So was she. Mightily.
Since that day in the closet, she’d pictured his hard phallus a thousand times—in her hand, her mouth, and her cunny, and now ’twas at last within grasp. She bent to unbuckle the belt circumnavigating his hips, but, changing her mind, reached underneath the curtain of plaid instead.
He sucked in a breath as she ran her hands up the backs of his thighs. They felt exactly as she’d dreamed they would. Lean, hard, and flocked in bristly hair. Would his phallusfeel the way she’d imagined, too?
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
She has two books out at present: The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller.
Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series’: an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. Devil in Duke’s Clothing is book one in Royal Pains. Starry Knight, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington>
When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
By reading the contents of this post you confirm that you are aged 18 years or over.
We are delighted to be joining in with the cover reveal for Nina Mason’s upcoming release, *Devil in Duke’s Clothing* which is scheduled for release early in 2015. The novel is a highly erotic historical romance set in Scotland during the Restoration Period (1680). The book features voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeur menage. It will be the first in a trilogy titled Royal Pains, which will feature the Duke and Duchess of Dunwoody. Scroll down to have a peep at the gorgeous cover, read the blurb and check out the 18+ trailer. You can also find out how to connect with the author. Tina 🙂
****************
Isn’t this a gorgeous cover?
What’s inside is just as wickedly delicious.
Devil in Duke’s Clothing, an erotic historical romance set in Scotland in 1680, tells the story of an innocent bride’s struggles to come to grips with her new husband’s eccentric erotic tastes amidst the instability and hedonism of the reign of Charles II. The book is coming in January from Nina Mason, the author of The Queen of Swords and The Tin Man. Book One in the Royal Pains Trilogy, Devil in Duke’s Clothing is highly erotic, features scenes of voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and a voyeuristic menage.
Here’s the blurb:
Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady’s maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights–and she’s been hungry for more ever since.
Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives–and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn’t the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.
Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?
Here’s the trailer (18+ only, please):
Here’s an excerpt from the Prologue:
Maggie York had not set out to be a spy.
She’d only come into the housekeeper’s closet to look for a bootlace. It had finally stopped raining and she was eager toescape the musty, smoke-choked prison the castle had become over the past se’nnight. Sick to death of books and needlework, she yearned to be out of doors picking flowers or stalking rabbits, but could do neither of those things until she’d replaced the broken lace on her boots.
Her abigail, as usual, was nowhere to be found, so Maggie had ventured below stairs to apply to the housekeeper for aid. To Maggie’s vexation, Mrs. McQueen was nowhere to be found, either, and, too impatient to await her return, the young ducal ward elected to hunt for the needed item herself.
Now, she was where she should not be and someone was coming. Two someones, actually. If they caught her here, she’d be punished the way she’d been several years past when she’d broken the vase belonging to the duke’s mother. The old duke, the young duke’s late father, had tanned her hide so severely she hadn’t been able to sit down for a full week without wincing.
Fear pumped through Maggie’s veins as the larksome duet drew nearer. The lady was her absent abigail. The gentleman’s laughter she could not place. The duchy employed several male servants—footmen, a valet, a coachman, a gardener, and a handful of strapping young grooms–but the baritone tenor was unlike any of theirs. Neither was it the laugh of the duke’s younger brother, who’d been blessed with a cheerful disposition. The sounds of Hugh’s gaiety echoed so often through the castle’s corridors, she would have known it anywhere.
There was, however, one gentleman residing at Balloch who’d never laughed within range of her hearing. Once or twice, he’d deigned to grace her with a smile—and, Lord bless her—what a thing of beauty ‘twas to behold. Like the sun breaking through the clouds on a gloomy day. The merest glimpse made her bones feel like they were made from tallow. What a pity he was so seldom cheerful.
The laughter grew still louder. As the door opened wider, panic erupted in Maggie’s chest. She could not let them find her snooping like a common thief. Pulse racing, she closed the French doors betwixt closet and room as swiftly and quietly as circumstances permitted.
As luck would have it, the door’s linen curtains were arranged in such a way as to allow her to see into the room without being observed. The man came in first.
Her breath caught when she saw ‘twas none other than the duke himself—in naught but his kilt and shirtsleeves!
Mistress Honeywell, her lady’s maid, soon followed in her usual tartan dress but sans shoes.
Why were they both half undressed? What could they be about?
Maggie bit her lip as she watched in breathless silence.
After locking the door, the duke dropped the key into his sporran and led Mistress Honeywell to a long sofa facing the closet. Maggie’s heart leapt into her throat. She drew back and held her breath. If he saw her, she was doomed.
The maid sat quietly whilst he filled the antimonial cup with Mrs. McQueen’s medicinal whisky. Was the duke ill perchance?
His grace returned to the sofa and handed Mistress Honeywell the whisky. Was it the maid who’d taken ill? If so, why apply to the duke for physick? Maggie could not reason it out.
He stood over the maid as she drank the whisky. Since his back was to the closet, Maggie could not see what passed between them. After a spell, Mistress Honeywell rose and they turned to face one another, providing a perfect view of their full-length profiles.
Maggie expected them to embrace, but they did not.
Instead, Mistress Honeywell set about unlacing her bodice whilst he watched with rapt interest.
The maid wore no stays, but clearly had no need of their support. Her paps, though large, stood as proud and sure as a pair ofcockerels.
When Mistress Honeywell was down to her shift, the duke stepped forward, untied the neckline drawstring, and reached inside with both hands.
Maggie swallowed a gasp when he seized both the maid’s breasts and proceeded to knead them like dough. Mistress Honeywell, astonishingly enough, offered no reproach. She only tipped back her head, parted her lips, and emitted a breathy sigh.
How could she abide, let alone enjoy, such exploitation? If a man ever treated Maggie thusly, she’d slap him so hard he’d see stars for a week!
The duke swept the shift off the maid’s shoulders. The thin garment slipped down her body to her ankles. To Maggie’s astonishment, Mistress Honeywell appeared to be unashamed–either by her nudity or his grace’s covetous stares.
By the light of Our Lady’s brow! Such impiety was not to be borne. How could they be so wicked? As Roman Catholics, both had to know what they were doing was sinful.
Here’s a wee bit about the author:
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.
She has two books out at present: The Queen of Swords, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and The Tin Man, a political thriller.
Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series’: an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. Devil in Duke’s Clothing is book one in Royal Pains. Starry Knight, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington>
When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
A runaway countess finds love when she least expects it…but she can’t hide from her past forever.
Elizabeth, Lady Beauchamp, fears for her life. When she discovers her dissolute and long-estranged husband has syphilis—and he wants to beget an heir no matter the cost—she flees to a remote part of Scotland to begin a new life as the widowed governess, Mrs. Beth Eliott at Eilean Tor Castle.
When Mrs. Eliott unexpectedly arrives on his doorstep, the reclusive and recently widowed Marquess of Rothsburgh is both irritated and intrigued. No longer in need of a governess—his young daughter now resides with his sister’s family in Edinburgh—he proposes the beautiful widow fill a position of a different kind…
Torn between staying true to her marriage vows and her wanton attraction to the devilishly handsome marquess, Elizabeth struggles against the temptation to become his mistress. But living a lie is not easy when you have fallen in love. And secrets always have a way of coming out…
My Review
Gothic Inspired Regency Noir par excellence!
Erotic Historical Romance 18+
I LOVED this powerful and emotionally charged dark and angst ridden Regency romance – it is full of secrets and suspense and brimming with raw sensuality and has a real taste of the gothic about it. It is an excellent Regency Noir read and if you enjoy books by authors such as Anna Campbell and Anne Stuart you will also revel in reading Lady Beauchamp’s Proposal, a deliciously dark, dangerous and erotic foray into this genre. The author, Amy Rose Bennett, is one to watch.
The hero James, the Marquess of Rothsburgh, holed up in his castle in the wilds of Scotland, is truly mouth-watering! A loner, with an undeserved misanthropic reputation. He is emotionally scarred not only by his time spent in the army, but also by the death of his wife. He is also unconventional and I just loved it when he decides that he wants to make the heroine his and embarks on his seduction…. The scenes between them positively smoulder, at first with sexual tension and then ignite the pages with intense, graphic and passionate scenes. The author is skilled at writing lovemaking scenes which are simultaneously romantic and erotic.
The heroine, Elizabeth, Lady Beauchamp, is exceedingly brave and resourceful, fleeing to Scotland in the guise of a widowed governess to save her life. Her fear of the threat her husband Hugh poses to her very life is palpable. The last thing she expects to encounter in her flight is a real hottie of a man who will tempt her beyond all reason. Does she honour her marriage vows of should she grab her chance of happiness however brief once it presents itself? She desperately wants to conceal her secret, fearing for her life and future yet James, the object of her affection has been deceived by others in the past may find her lies unforgiveable.
There are a number of super plot twists and some truly painful and heartrending scenes and the HEA for this couple seems so elusive. I did shed some tears before the denouement, which I found wholly satisfying. I also really admired how Amy Rose Bennett included subjects which are often taboo in romance novels – infidelity and syphilis and the realistic way they were dealt with in terms of the impact they had on the individuals concerned. I recommend this to readers who are looking for a thought provoking and wholly entertaining historical romance which has plenty of heat.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
areadersreviewblog 